Laila Rodriguez

Thinking of importing food products? Find out which are allowed

Geneva, Switzerland – Planning a trip abroad this summer? One small tip: be sure to have a first aid kit in the car, required by law, if you are traveling in the European Union. Migros and Coop supermarket chains sells them ready-made for about CHF10.

Before you head back home with a Serrano Ham or some exotic chinchilla skins, you might do well to find out how much meat and other edible products, and other kind of imports are allowed in Switzerland.

If bringing liquors either as gifts or for personal consumption find out what the limits are before having to pay taxes.

Find out how much fruit can be imported before you head back to Switzerland

Also useful: GenevaLunch’s guide To make it happily through Swiss customs.

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GenevaLunch, 1 July 2009.

Filed under: City/Canton services

Tags: Geneva guide, guide for expats in Switzerland, guide to Geneva, holidays Geneva, Swiss taxes, Swiss vacation, taxes

Older comments

1. Margaret Says:
   October 30th, 2010 at 11:24 am

   I will be visiting my daughter in Bern at Christmas and I was wondering if I am allowed to take a frozen turkey with me.
   I would appreciate any information on this.
   Many thanks in advance, Margaret

2. Margaret Says:
   October 30th, 2010 at 11:29 am

   I should have said I live in London, England

3. Ellen Wallace Says:
   October 30th, 2010 at 2:31 pm

   I’m afraid not – the limit is 500g of meat/poultry per person. But you’ll find excellent turkeys in Switzerland, fresh (order a week ahead) and frozen, including good ones at the two big supermarket chains, Migros and Coop. You won’t find British Christmas puddings as easily, though, so if she likes those, it might make a better gift from abroad.

4. john kakoma Says:
   February 27th, 2011 at 9:43 am

   Am visiting Geneva this March, i plan to buy 3 cell phones from Geneva for my wife and little daughters. what tax do i need to pay on the phones.?

5. Ellen Wallace Says:
   February 27th, 2011 at 1:27 pm

   If you’re in the US this is probably not a good idea, as it’s not the same system. You want to buy them in Switzerland then take them to another country? But where? Wondering why you would want to do this, given the high Swiss franc!

6. Laila Rodriguez Says:
   March 5th, 2011 at 7:30 pm

   Hi John,

   Sorry for the late reply.

   To get mobile phone service in Geneva/Switzerland can be tricky. I am not sure if you are moving here, or simply visiting. That would make a difference.

   The cheapest, simplest option is to get a pre-paid phone at one of the supermarket chains, they require proof of residency.

   If you want to buy a phone only (no service) check: Orange.ch, Sunrise.ch and Swisscom.ch which are the largest providers.

   Best,

   Laila

7. Lillian Says:
   June 5th, 2011 at 4:39 pm

   am from Singapore and my family (with 2 young kids) will be travelling to Switzerland in September, entering via Geneva. As we will be staying for about 3 months, I would like to be able to bring in some foodstuff for personal consumption. Hence I would like to know if the following items are permissible.
   1) Infant Milk powder
   2) Bottled baby food
   3) Branded pre packed sauces (those sold in stores) for cooking
   4) Biscuits
   5) Unopened new breakfast spreads such as peanut butter and nutella.
   6) Canned food

   None of the above items are raw and all are new unopened. Please advice. Thanks

8. Ellen Wallace Says:
   June 5th, 2011 at 5:16 pm

   I think you need to start by looking at the customs office’s web site, and if you don’t find the answers on their info. sheets, contact them directly. But you might also want to consider just getting some of these things here – it’s not hard to find food in Switzerland, including a lot of things from other countries, since the city has such an international population. Good luck!

9. Laila Rodriguez Says:
   June 6th, 2011 at 10:19 am

   Lillian,

   Thanks for your email.

   Click on the links in the article for more information (they are in blue). They will take you to the Customs’ page which shows what you are allowed to bring in.

   Here’s an excerpt:

   Within the scope of the tax and duty free limit of CHF 300, foodstuffs (excluding alcoholic beverages), for private consumption in one’s own household are basically duty free to the extent that they are imported personally while travelling.

   And once you get to Geneva, make sure to read us!

   Best,

   Laila